Rayonnant Gothic

Rayonnant is a sub-style of Gothic
architecture, focusing on light and
tracery and fine architecture. Rayonnant
was created between 1240-1250 (some see
precursors even as early as 1231) and
lasted until the middle of the 14th
century, then gradually evolving into
Late Gothic. For more information, see
in Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayonnant andhe.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayonnant

Zachi Evenor says: The north rose window of Notre-Dame de
Paris by Jean de Chelles is a classical
Rayonnant rose window. Its design is
like a radiating ("Rayonnant"
in French) sun and considered of superb
quality.

Zachi Evenor says: This photo of the choir and apse of St.
Denis in French demonstrates to a full
maximum the stunning effect of light
achieved in the Rayonnant Gothic style.
One can see the amazing stained glass
windows of the clerestory and triforium,
and the flicks of light on the pillars.
St. Denis is the mother of all Gothic
churches, built in 1136-1144 and later
reinnovated, pioneering the Rayonnant
Gothic style starting from 1231 and
working through most of the 13th
century.

Zachi Evenor says: The south transept facade of Notre-Dame
de Paris is built (1250-1260) in
Rayonnant Gothic style as evident from
the Rayonnant rose, the bar tracery, the
gables and the flanking spires.

Zachi Evenor says: Cologne cathedral adopted the French
Rayonnant style and its high choir (46
meters tall to the vaults), built
between 1248-1322 is considered as one
of the finest Rayonnant structures and a
culmination of Gothic architecture.
Truely a master piece.

Zachi Evenor says: Interior of Cologne choir. At 46 meters
height, it stands very close to the
Gothic Beauvais choir - the tallest
church interior in the world (48 meters,
France). The choir of Cologne, built in
1248-1322, is considered a master-piece
of Rayonnant style. It features glazed
triforium (where blind arcading was
replaced with stained glass windows),
tall clearstory - with band of stained
glass and white glass (to introduce more
light into the interior) and slender
piers and shafts, supporting the tall
structure.

Zachi Evenor says: The north rose window of Notre-Dame de
Paris by Jean de Chelles is a classical
Rayonnant rose window. Its design is
like a radiating ("Rayonnant"
in French) sun and considered of superb
quality.

Zachi Evenor says: The master-piece west facade of Cologne
cathedral was built only in the 19th
century at the Gothic revival period in
Germany. However, it was built according
to plans from c. 1300 that survived the
centuries (the famous "F
plan"). The facade has two towering
spires, staggering to 157 meters height,
and has up-going series of lancet
windows, surmounted by gables and
wimpergs.

Zachi Evenor says: Close up on the west facade. The west
facade of Cologne cathedral was built
only in the 19th century at the Gothic
revival period in Germany. However, it
was built according to plans from c.
1300 that survived the centuries (the
famous "F plan"). The facade
has two towering spires, staggering to
157 meters height, and has up-going
series of lancet windows, surmounted by
gables and wimpergs.

Zachi Evenor says: Sainte-Chapelle, built between 1242-1248
in the heart of Paris, is a superb
example of Rayonnant style where solid
wall are replaced by glazed walls
composed of superb quality stained-glass
windows.

Zachi Evenor says: Rayonnant rose of Strasbourg cathedral,
designed like radiating sun with colors
of yellow and orange. It is part of a
paper-draw designed facade with
delicated stonework and one tall spire
in the north (the south spire was never
completed).

Zachi Evenor says: This Rayonnant rose window dominates the
south transept of Sées Cathedral. In the
middle part there is Jesus, surrounded
by 12 medallions with Apostles, this
surrounded by 24 elders of the
Apocalypse. Below it there are 10
windows with 10 characters from the Old
Testament.

Zachi Evenor says: The west facade of Reims cathedral
combines High Gothic with Rayonnant
style. It has 3 portals, crowned by
gables and wimpergs, and instead of
sculptured tympanae it has stained glass
windows. In the middle, between the
pinnacles is the maginificent great
Rayonnant rose window, with diameter of
13.1 meters. The tower of the facade are
81 meters tall, a twin 120 meters tall
spires were planned but they were never
completed.

Zachi Evenor says: Choir of La Trinite de Vendome. This is
a typical Rayonnant apse arrangement:
glazed triforium and lancet bar-tracery
windows combining stained glass and
grissaile white glass which let more
light shine into the church. Some
scholars also believe that the use of
white glass is to symbolize glory and
purity.